College Search
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
College Search
In a packed Pete Maravich Assembly Center that felt more like March than mid-January, No. 12 Louisiana State University women’s basketball delivered one of the defining results of the early 2025–26 season. The Tigers knocked off previously undefeated No. 2 Texas 70–65 on January 11, 2026, handing the Longhorns their first loss of the year and sending a clear message about LSU’s place in the national title race.
The victory in Baton Rouge snapped Texas’ 18-game unbeaten start, lifted LSU to 16–2 overall and 2–2 in SEC play, and carried historical weight for a program already rich in big-stage moments. In front of an announced sellout of 13,200 fans, LSU controlled most of the afternoon, answered every late Texas push, and turned hustle stats into the difference in a heavyweight showdown.
LSU’s upset was not just another ranked win. According to program notes, it was the Tigers’ first victory over a team ranked in the top two of the Associated Press poll since they defeated No. 2 North Carolina in the 2008 NCAA Elite Eight. It also represented their first win over an AP top-five opponent since their 2023 national championship game triumph over Iowa, a breakthrough that cemented the Kim Mulkey era as a new power block in women’s college basketball.
In recent years, LSU had struggled to break through against the very top of the poll, dropping multiple contests to teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2. That trend ended on Sunday. Against a Texas team that had already beaten then-No. 2 South Carolina on a neutral floor, LSU seized the moment at home and led for more than 26 minutes of game time.
The result also reshaped the broader national picture. With Texas finally cracking, the list of remaining undefeated teams in Division I women’s basketball dwindled to just three: Connecticut, Vanderbilt and Texas Tech, underscoring how unforgiving conference play can be even for elite programs. For LSU, this 70–65 statement win serves as one of the signature regular-season moments of Mulkey’s tenure.
The environment matched the stakes. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd, officially listed at 13,200, was one of the largest in LSU women’s basketball history and ranked as the ninth-biggest home attendance the program has ever recorded. From pregame warmups through the final buzzer, the noise amplified every defensive stop, loose ball, and second-chance opportunity.
Mulkey described the contest as the kind of game “basketball purists” appreciate: physical, defense-first, and hard-earned on every possession. Both teams leaned into that identity. Points were difficult to come by, especially early, and momentum swings were dictated more by toughness and execution than flashy runs in transition.
The opening quarter set the tone for a grind-it-out afternoon. LSU struck first on a three-pointer from guard Flau’jae Johnson, but neither side found much rhythm. By the end of the first period, the score was locked at 11–11, the lowest first-quarter point total either team had posted all season.
Texas entered the game with the confidence and composure of a top-two program, but LSU’s defense kept the Longhorns off-balance early. Closeouts were sharp, ball pressure was constant, and both teams were forced into late-clock situations and tough shots. The scoreboard reflected the intensity.
In the second quarter, LSU initially wobbled. The Tigers missed their first seven shots from the field, opening the door for Texas to grab control. Instead, LSU responded with its best stretch of the half. The Tigers found their touch and went on to hit eight of their next nine attempts, using that burst to flip the momentum.
Rebounding was already tilting in LSU’s favor, and the second quarter made it obvious. The Tigers out-rebounded Texas 12–4 in the frame, attacking the offensive glass and limiting the Longhorns to single-chance possessions on the other end. Sophomore guard Jada Richard capped the half with a buzzer-beating jumper that pushed LSU’s lead to 30–25 and sent the home crowd into halftime roaring.
Whatever confidence Texas carried into the locker room was quickly tested after the break. LSU carried its second-quarter momentum into the third, stretching a run that began late in the first half and gradually widening the gap. The Tigers’ shot-making improved, their rebounding dominance continued, and their energy level mirrored a group intent on rewriting the narrative of an 0–2 SEC start.
LSU outscored Texas 20–14 in the third quarter, building a 50–39 lead heading into the final 10 minutes. The Longhorns, who had come to Baton Rouge with a top-two ranking and one of the most impressive résumés in the country, suddenly found themselves staring at their largest deficit of the season.
It was during this stretch that LSU’s earlier SEC struggles looked like a distant memory. Rebounding lapses and inconsistent energy had cost the Tigers in their first two league games. Against Texas, the opposite was true: LSU’s relentless work on the boards and willingness to chase every 50-50 ball were the foundation of a double-digit advantage.
Still, a team ranked No. 2 in the country was not going to bow out quietly. In the fourth quarter, Texas showed why it had climbed so high in the polls and why it had been viewed as a legitimate national title favorite.
Star forward Madison Booker took over offensively, finishing the afternoon with 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Booker’s ability to score at all three levels and create within tight spaces helped the Longhorns methodically chip away at the deficit. With smarter execution and better spacing, Texas mounted a sustained run, closing to within 55–52 midway through the final period.
The Longhorns continued to apply pressure, pulling within two possessions multiple times, including at 61–57 and 63–59. Center Kyla Oldacre fueled the comeback effort with a dominant interior performance: 16 points and 16 rebounds, her third double-double of the season. Guard Jordan Lee added 12 points as Texas outscored LSU 26–20 in the fourth quarter.
For a stretch, it looked like Texas might complete the rally, especially as LSU’s offense cooled and the Longhorns’ defense tightened. But every Texas push was met with a timely LSU answer.
No player embodied LSU’s resilience more than junior guard Mikaylah Williams. The Bossier City, Louisiana native, a former national high school player of the year, delivered one of the most complete performances of her LSU career on both ends of the floor.
Williams finished with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists, and a career-high five steals. Defensively, she frequently drew the assignment on Booker, forcing the Texas star into difficult looks and expending energy on every touch.
Her defining moment came in the final two minutes. Clinging to a narrow lead and staring down a Texas defense that had tightened its rotations, LSU worked deep into the shot clock. With the horn about to sound and the game hanging in the balance, Williams rose up and buried a three-pointer with 1:20 remaining, pushing the Tigers’ lead to 66–59.
In a building already at full volume, the shot felt like a dagger. It reestablished a two-possession cushion at a critical juncture and underscored why Williams is viewed as one of the premier guards in the country. For recruits and young players watching, it was a textbook example of a star embracing the moment in a marquee top-15 showdown.
While Williams’ three may be the shot replayed on highlight packages, LSU still needed composure at the line to finish the job. That responsibility fell largely on Jada Richard, who was nearly flawless in crunch time.
Richard went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, including four makes in the final minute as Texas was forced to foul. Every trip added another layer of pressure, but the sophomore guard’s routine never wavered. Her late-game poise helped LSU withstand Texas’ final flurry and close out the 70–65 victory.
As big as Williams and Richard were in clutch moments, LSU’s upset was ultimately built on depth and effort. The Tigers showcased a balanced attack that gave Texas few opportunities to overload its defense toward any single player.
Six LSU players finished in double figures:
The box score told the story of LSU’s physicality and attention to detail in what Mulkey called a “basketball purist’s game.” LSU out-rebounded Texas 44–35 and hammered the offensive glass with 19 offensive boards. Those extra possessions translated into 13 second-chance points and helped neutralize Texas’ efficiency in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, LSU forced Texas into 17 turnovers, the most the Longhorns have committed all season. The Tigers held Texas to 25-for-57 shooting overall and 4-for-12 from three-point range, a stat line that reflected both on-ball pressure and disciplined team defense.
On the offensive end, LSU shot 26-for-67 from the field and 15-for-19 from the free-throw line. It was not a blisteringly efficient performance, but it was balanced, aggressive, and composed under pressure. In a game defined by toughness and execution, those qualities mattered more than style points.
Sunday’s game was also a turning point in the recent history between LSU and Texas. The Longhorns had taken control of the series in recent years, winning three straight matchups, including two games during the 2024–25 season and an SEC tournament semifinal. Texas came into Baton Rouge with the confidence of a program that had consistently found answers against LSU.
This time, the Tigers flipped the script. LSU led the entire second half and never surrendered its edge, even as Texas closed the gap to a one-possession game. The Tigers’ ability to respond to every Longhorn surge highlighted a growth in late-game execution and belief, especially important given their early 0–2 SEC mark and questions about their strength of schedule.
Nationally, the upset tightened an already competitive title race. According to the Associated Press Top 25 poll, top-five matchups and upsets like this often drive midseason reshuffling. Texas’ first loss will likely introduce movement near the top, while LSU’s résumé gains a marquee win against a team with national championship ambitions.
For the Tigers, the result serves multiple purposes. It quiets critics who questioned a favorable nonconference slate and an 0–2 SEC start, it reinforces LSU as a serious Final Four contender, and it reestablishes the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as one of the most intimidating venues in the sport. As national coverage of women’s basketball continues to grow, statement performances in environments like Baton Rouge take on outsized importance in narrative and seeding discussions.
The win also narrows the margin for error across the national landscape. With Texas’ unbeaten run over and only three undefeated teams left in Division I, the focus shifts to how programs respond to adversity. For LSU, this game was less about perfection and more about resilience in a physical, high-level contest.
There is little time for LSU to celebrate. Up next is a challenging road trip to face top-five Oklahoma, another game with major implications for seeding, conference positioning, and national perception. How the Tigers handle that quick turnaround after such an emotional home win will be watched closely by coaches, media, and recruits alike.
For Texas, the task will be to regroup, clean up turnovers, and recalibrate after their most physical test of the season. While the loss stings, the Longhorns’ late rally in Baton Rouge proved they have the composure and talent to contend deep into March.
For high school athletes and families following the women’s basketball landscape, this LSU vs Texas matchup offered a clear window into what life at a national contender looks like. The takeaways go beyond the score:
If you are trying to understand where you might fit in this kind of environment, tools that help you compare programs and levels can be invaluable. Pathley’s College Directory is a useful starting point for exploring schools like LSU, Texas, and dozens of other women’s basketball powers in one place.
While LSU commands much of the national spotlight, Baton Rouge is also home to Southern University and A&M College, a proud HBCU with its own athletics tradition and campus culture. For recruits, visiting both campuses can offer a valuable perspective on different environments, conference affiliations, and academic offerings within the same city.
Whether you are aiming for a national championship contender or a smaller program where you can make an immediate impact, understanding the full range of options in a city like Baton Rouge can help you make a more informed decision.
Tracking games like LSU’s 70–65 upset of Texas is only one part of the recruiting puzzle. The bigger challenge is figuring out which programs, levels, and campuses actually fit your goals. That is where Pathley’s tools can help:
Games like LSU vs Texas highlight the highest level of women’s college basketball. Pathley is built to help you figure out what level and which campuses are right for you, whether you dream of playing in front of 13,000 fans or thriving at a smaller program where you can grow on and off the court.
LSU’s 70–65 victory over No. 2 Texas will stand as a benchmark moment in the 2025–26 women’s college basketball season: a historic AP top-2 win, a showcase of clutch performances from Mikaylah Williams and Jada Richard, and a reminder that the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is again one of the toughest road environments in the game.
For athletes, parents, and coaches, it is also a vivid illustration of the intensity, preparation, and resilience required to compete at the highest level. Whether you are tracking LSU’s national title chase or mapping out your own recruiting journey, understanding games like this is a powerful step toward seeing where you might fit in the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball.
